Secret romance scandal cost Jackson Lahmeyer Oklahoma GOP primary lead

Jackson Lahmeyer, the pastor who once seemed invincible in Donald Trump's orbit, has taken a severe hit following a Daily Mail investigation into his secret romance with a campaign staffer. The scandal has now cost him his place as the clear favorite in Oklahoma's Republican primary.

Just a week prior, Lahmeyer appeared destined to win Oklahoma's 1st District GOP primary without a runoff. That momentum shattered on Tuesday night when he failed to cross the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a second round. The Associated Press confirmed the race is heading to a runoff on August 25, with nearly 90 percent of the ballots already counted. State Representative Mark Tedford secured 32 percent of the vote, edging out Lahmeyer's 26 percent.

The megachurch leader, 34 years old, was previously favored at 89 percent to win. His campaign had been bolstered by President Trump's endorsement in a district that has remained solidly Republican since 1987. However, the Daily Mail's exclusive report on Sunday dramatically shifted the landscape.

The investigation revealed Lahmeyer's intimate relationship with Caitlin Simmons Key, a 40-year-old single mother and former Miss Oklahoma USA. Key told the Daily Mail that she and Lahmeyer kissed multiple times during the campaign. She described a pattern of communication where he sent her thousands of texts, including one in which he wrote, "I enjoyed those lips." She also disclosed that he once left Mar-a-Lago at 1 a.m. for a strip club after being offered cocaine, which he reportedly refused.

In the wake of the primary results, Key addressed the media. "The election is now in the hands of the voters," she stated. She explained her decision to speak out publicly, noting that she believed the information regarding the character of a church leader and public official was essential. She acknowledged the personal toll, saying, "I've paid a price for that decision. My reputation, my privacy, my relationships, and the people I love have all been impacted by it." Despite the fallout, she maintained her stance, asserting, "The facts are public. Voters now have information they did not have before. What they choose to do with that information is entirely up to them."

Key added, "I've never asked anyone to take my word for anything. I've simply asked people to look at the facts and draw their own conclusions." She concluded by saying, "As for me, I can live with the consequences of speaking up."

The two first crossed paths in 2022 when Lahmeyer, a political newcomer, challenged Senator James Lankford. Key joined his effort to raise funds, and their connection deepened as she navigated a difficult divorce. Key noted that their conversations eventually crossed the line of what most would consider appropriate for a married man and a single woman.

As Lahmeyer's national profile grew, he founded Pastors for Trump and was invited into the White House Faith Office. Key joined his congressional campaign as a fundraiser this spring. The situation escalated immediately after President Trump endorsed Lahmeyer on May 6. Key posted about the endorsement on Facebook, vouching for her knowledge of the candidate and his family. Within hours, Lahmeyer's wife, Kendra, discovered the text messages on his phone.

On the eve of Mother's Day, Kendra sent a furious message to Key: "You are a home wrecking whore. Did you enjoy ruining our family?

He has five children."

Following the initial report from the Daily Mail, Lahmeyer released a statement on Facebook. He condemned the publication's narrative as a distorted account from a British tabloid. He admitted only to crossing a boundary line through text messaging. He has otherwise declined to offer further comment.

Key also alleges that cash payments not appearing in the campaign's FEC filings continued to arrive. These deposits occurred as recently as the start of June. This happened after she had been frozen out of the operation. She believes this money was intended to keep her quiet.

Key insists there is more she is not revealing. "The truth is there is more to the story," she said. She claimed she showed mercy by not releasing the full information yet. She warned that if he wants to further discredit her, he will have a lot of explaining to do about why he continues to lie.

"I am not the only person who knows things," she added. She urged the public to stop now before there is nothing else left to hide.